Florida law also requires Diggs become re-certified as a police officer in Florida. He has requested 90 days to get that done.

Until then, Diggs’ role at the police department will be limited. He's scheduled to start August 16th.

"He cannot oversee the operations, day to day operations of the police," said Saeed Kazmi, city manager. "He cannot run the department that does the daily business. So that's why he's going to assign that portion to one of his captains until he becomes certified.

"He is willing to do it; he's just studying the books right now," Kazemi said.

"What impressed me was that he accepted the offer," said resident Darlene Mitchell.

Diggs' salary will be $140,000 a year. That's more than three times the average income in Lee County, but some residents and city councilors believe he's worth even more.

"I thought that he deserved better because this is a city that really needs its leadership. I think the officers will be happy, but I think you got to pay people what they're worth," said Councilmember Johnny Streets.

Kazemi will evaluate Diggs every year and decide if his salary should go up.

"We're going to evaluate him, and we will expect something for him to do, and if he does that, I have no problem giving him some raises," Kazemi said.

"If he didn't like that salary, he could have come to the table and said y'all call me when you got more money. But it's obvious that he has a passion for the job, and that moved me more than anything," Mitchell said.

Kazemi said Diggs has already found a place to live in Fort Myers and will be moving down in a week or two.

This is the first time in more than a decade the Fort Myers police chief has been required to live within the city limits.